Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC

Friends of Franklin Parks proposes
multi-purpose equestrian arena

Facility would be built at Park at Harlinsdale Farm

At the April 9 Board of Mayor and Aldermen work session, Friends of Franklin Parks Board of Governors President Dr. Monty McInturff presented a plan for a multi-purpose equestrian arena on a five-acre tract behind the main barn at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm on Franklin Road.

FoFP proposes to raise the funds to construct the 300X150 foot arena, plus perimeter fencing around the complex, as well as proposed improvements to the existing 24-stall mare barn. The group hopes the project will bring the horse back to Harlinsdale, a stated goal of the citizens during master planning.

The conservation easement held by the Land Trust of Tennessee specifically allows for equestrian uses.

No vote was taken by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen at the April 9 meeting, but sentiment was positive.

For questions or to contribute to the project, call Mindy Tate, Executive Director, at 794-0998.

Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, City of Franklin finalize Memorandum of Understanding to allow for public/private partnership

Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, Board of Governors President (standing) and Franklin Mayor Dr. Ken Moore add their signatures to the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the non-profit organization.

Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, Board of Governors President Dr. Monty McInturff and Franklin Mayor Dr. Ken Moore on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, finalized the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and non-profit entity which could allow for public/private partnerships on improvements and expansion in City of Franklin parks.

The document was approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen this summer and then ratified by the Friends of Franklin Parks Board. Tuesday’s signing was the final step in putting into place the document, which spells out how the City and the non-profit will work together.

“It is great to finally have signed this document which will allow us to move forward in a positive manner on a variety of projects,” said McInturff, co-owner of Tennessee Equine Hospital. “City staff and leadership has been great to work with and very encouraging about the potential of this partnership.”

Personally, Moore and his wife Linda were among the first donors to Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, donating $1,000 as a leadership gift and then challenging the city’s eight Aldermen to also lend their financial support — in whatever amount they felt appropriate — to Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC.

Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, exists to cultivate stewardship within our community to preserve our cultural and natural resources, enhance the park experience and expand its legacy for future generations.

For more information on Friends of Franklin Parks, visit our www.franklintomorrow.org and follow the link to Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC. Tax-deductible donations may be made to Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, by contacting Executive Director Mindy Tate at 794-0998 or mindy@franklintomorrow.org.

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Raise the Roofs, June 16, 2012

Presented by

Featured music, food, drinks, games, tours and horses to benefit in the restoration of the historic buildings at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm.

Additional sponsors:

Boyle Investments, Boxwood Bistro

Ragan-Smith Associates

Lipman Brothers, Red Dog Wine & Spirits

Williamson Herald, YOUR Magazine

In April 2011, under the auspices of its existing 501(c)3 designation, Franklin Tomorrow formed a non-profit limited liability company, Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC.

The newly formed entity is directed by a board of governors. Our mission is to bridge the gap between the services and amenities offered by government funding and those that allow us to take full advantage of the incredible natural and historic resources of our community.

• Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, can accomplish this through working with individuals and other organizations to secure funding for land acquisition, park improvements and other recreation programs.

• Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, can also accept gifts of land or financial contributions for a specific park improvement, while providing a tax donor benefit to the donor.

• Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, can advocate for parks and outdoor recreation.

Great parks make great communities

Parks are an essential component of Franklin’s quality of life. The City of Franklin is fortunate to have over 700 acres of parklands divided into 16 parks including passive parks, active parks and historical parks.

Each park has its own character and amenities, from the scenic and historic Park at Harlinsdale Farm, which serves as a reminder of Franklin’s role in the birth of the Tennessee Walking Horse, to one of the city’s oldest parks, Jim Warren Park, where thousands flock every week for athletic pursuits.

Of the city’s 16 parks, 56% of the parks are completed with the other 44% in varying stages of completion. While funding levels have decreased, citizens’ desire for park amenities and facilities has not dropped.

Franklin’s parks are comprised of four main components:
• Passive Parks which provide citizens with quality open space and free recreation opportunities.
• Active Parks which provide citizens and organizations with available sports fields and amenities.
• Historical Parks which provide important historic preservation and passive recreation opportunities.
• Greenways and trails which provide important park linkage and passive recreation opportunities.

Franklin Mayor Dr. Ken Moore and his wife Linda recently donated $1,000 to Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, as a leadership gift and then Mayor Moore took it one step further.

Franklin Mayor Ken Moore accepts a print of the Historic Barn at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm by artist John Cannon from Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, Executive Director Mindy Tate. Moore and his wife Linda were $1,000 donors to Friends of Franklin Parks and he challenged the city Aldermen to become personal supporters as well.

Other early donors are First Tennessee Bank and Bill Harlin, who for many years operated the historic Walking Horse breeding farm on what is now the 200-acre park.

Fundraising has just begun for Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, which exists to cultivate stewardship within our community to preserve our cultural and natural resources, enhance the park experience and expand its legacy for future generations.

Dr. Monty McInturff of Tennessee Equine Hospital serves as president of FoFP Board of Governors and Tennessee Equine Hospital has also made a $1,000 donation to Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC.

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Friends of Franklin Parks President Monty McInturff was honored in January 2012 by Darrell Waltrip as a “Hometown Hero for his work with Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC.

Partner for the Parks

Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, works closely with the City of Franklin and its Parks Department to identify needs which exist in the park system, as well as future needs.

The opportunities presented by an organization like Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, to encourage and target needed improvements by mobilizing the resources of the community, will help the City respond to our citizens’ desire for access to these facilities.

But this is a partnership, with support needed from the public and private sectors, individuals and organizations. By working together, Friends of Franklin Parks, LLC, hopes to bridge the gap between the services and amenities afforded by government funding and those that allow us to take full advantage of the incredible natural resources of our region.

Everyone can help. Gifts of land, financial contributions, corporate matching programs and donations of products and services all support Friends of Franklin Parks’ efforts to make ours a truly great community with great parks.